Aberdeen Press and Journal
Copyright 2007 Aberdeen Press and Journal
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GLASGOW, Scotland — Firefighters are taking DNA kits on call-outs after a rise in spitting attacks on crew members.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue announced yesterday it had introduced the collection kits to protect crews from the threat of violence at work.
One crew in Glasgow used the kit within days after a firefighter was allegedly spat on after tackling a fire in a bin shelter.
A DNA sample was taken and handed over to Strathclyde Police.
There have been at least 20 reports of Strathclyde firefighters being spat on in the past year.
Assistant chief officer Bill McDonagh, of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: “Spitting is not simply a particularly disgusting form of assault, it is also a potentially dangerous act.
“Saliva can transmit dangerous diseases such as hepatitis B and bacterial meningitis.
“From now on, anyone who spits at one of our firefighters should know that we will have evidence against them and chances are that they will be identified and caught.”